Burntwood RUFC finally got the better of Edwardians for the first time in six attempts over the last three seasons.

The result lifts Ben Holt’s side above the Birmingham outfit into fifth place with four games remaining.

The hosts have rarely been at their best in contests between the two sides and this one looked like going the same way after a largely forgettable first half which finished with the visitors ahead 5-3.

Burntwood’s three points came from a Will Peach penalty after just four minutes. It was earned by the pack who scrummaged strongly at the first two set pieces.

However, Peach went on to have a rare off day with the boot and pulled four other attempts during the half left of the target.

The first half was liberally sprinkled with penalty offences committed by both sides which prevented any real flow to the game.

Eds had a kick at goal after 14 minutes which was also unsuccessful but two minutes later they went ahead with a try. They won turnover ball on the home 22 and good handling by their back division led to a try in the left corner.

The visitors shaded play in first half and went close to adding to their lead in the five minutes up to the break. At one point they were held up on the line but the hosts survived and launched a counter attack right on the whistle. It ended with Brett Taylor being unluckily pulled up for holding on in the tackle.

Burntwood reshuffled their line-up for the second period and it brought immediate results. Luke Rookyard made a break to put his side in good position. The ball was worked out to Ben Tranter on the left and then back right for skipper Holt to take a pass and run through unopposed for a cracking try. Peach converted and Burntwood were ahead 10-5 just two minutes into the half.

They took the restart kick and were inspired by an Ian Jones break, the scrum half being one of the half time replacements who injected some life into Burntwood’s play.

They kept play largely in opposition territory but the next score didn’t arrive until the 58th minute. Peach put his earlier failures behind him to strike a penalty goal over against the wind.

A penalty attempt by Eds from the restart fell short and then ten minutes later an excellent penalty kick by Peach from 35 metres unluckily hit a post and bounced clear.

With time almost up, the home pack flexed their muscles at a couple of Edwardians’ scrums to keep play in their 22. Peach slid another penalty right of the posts and then Tranter was just forced out in the corner following a good build-up involving Rookyard and Taylor.

The final play was a Peach penalty goal from straight infront of the posts to complete a victory built largely on the efforts of the pack, in particular the front row of Rookyard, Jake Ransome and Dave Ward.

This Saturday Burntwood face the biggest test of their league campaign with a trip to table-toppers Handsworth. The 2nds welcome Handsworth 2nds to The Sportway and the 3rds are due to face HMYOI Brinsford.